Measuring apparatus



5mm 28 1930. w. M. VENABLE 33554159282 MEAsURING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 8,1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVE 0R W M Q wai fi A TTORNEYJ Jan. 28, 1930. w.M. VENABLE 1,745,232

' MEASURING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 8. 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVE (TOR M 7LA TTORNE Y5 Jan. 28, 1930. w, VENABLE 1 ,745,282

MEASURING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 8, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVE T R ATTORNE Y5 Patented Jan. 28, 193D UNITED STA-TES'PATENT OFFICE WILLIAMMAYO VENABIILIE, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO BLAW- KNOXCOMPANY, OF PITTSBURGH, -PENZNSYLVANIA, A. CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEYMEASURING APPARATUS Application filed November 8, 1926. Serial No.146,909.

This invention relates to measuring apparatus, and particularlytoapparatus for measuring the sand and water used in the mixture ofconcrete. I

As is known to those well versed in this art, the production of concreteof. uniform consistency, and uniform ultimate strength, depends upon auniform proportioning of all of the materials from batch to batch, butin actual practice absolute uniformity cannot be obtained because ofvariations in the quality, grading and dampness of the stone, thequality of the cement, and the quality, packing and moisture of thesand. Among the greatest of the variable factors are the quantities ofsand and water, because of the fact that absolutely dry sand can seldombe obtained and that damp sand resultsin an increase in the total amountof water entering the mixture and a decrease in the actual amount ofsand due to the bulking of the sand, as it is termed. This bulking orflufling varies in degree according to the moisture content of the sandand may result in variations of as much as in the absolute amountof sandcontained in a given volume.

It is known, however, that if sand be meas- ,ured while saturated, thatis with its interstices or void spaces filled with water, it will, inits natural settling in a container or measure occupy substantially thesame volume every time the operation is repeated. If the sand be also ofa substantially uniform average grade, it will, when saturated, containin each batch of uniform measured volume a uniform quantity of water,that is, if

it be of substantially uniform grade, its percentage of void spaces willnot vary materially if measured in a completely saturated condition, andconsequently the volume of water contained in a given volume will besubstantially uniform. By the measurement I of the sand in a completelysaturated or in undated condition, therefore, both the sand and theWater entering the mixture are of practically constant proportions andin consequence the two most variable factors in the manufactore ofconcrete become practically constant from batch to batch One of theprimary objects of this invention is the provision of novel apparatusfor carrying out, and obtaining the advantages of, the inundation methodof measuring materials for concrete outlined above.

Another object of the invention is the provision of such apparatus whichwill make it possible to carry out the method with speed as well asaccuracy on a commercial scale.

.Still another object is the provision of apparatus of the characteroutllned which shall be compact as to space required,'easy ofinstauation and operation, rugged in construction, and which willminimize losses of sand and water.

How the foregoing, together with other objectsand advantages which willoccur to those skilled in the art or which are incident to my invention,are obtained, will appear from the following description of the presentpreferred embodiment of the invention, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings thereof, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side el vation of the apparatus as installed beneath a sandstorage binhaving space beneath for a concrete mixer or for a conveyoror truck;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevation, with parts in section, of the measuringand dumping receptacle; 1

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the receptacle;

Fig. 4 is a view of the complete apparatus taken from the left of Fig. 1and Fig. 5 is a plan view of the water measis to be understoodthat theremay be mounted on the same supporting structure, supply bins for stoneor other-ingredients in a manner now Well known in the art.

The apparatus of the present invention may be supported in anyconvenient manner from the framework, or from the bin itself, or partlyfrom each as here shown. Pivotall mounted at 6, on depending supports 7,i hung from a member 8 attached to the bin,.is a measuring and dumpingcontainer or receptacle 9, it being understood of course that there is aivot 6, and supporting frame 7, 7, on each si e of the receptacle.

The water supplying apparatus is shown at the left of Figs; 1 and 4,this apparatus being here shown as supported partially from the bin andpartially from the framework. located at a level above the measuringcontainer 9 is the charging tank- 20 which is filled at the top throughpipe 21 from any convenient source of water supply, and which isdischarged from the bottom, through pipe 22 controlled by valve 23, intothe measuring receptacle 9. The charging tank 20 should be of suchcapacity or filled to such a depth that the volume of water dischargedinto the measuring container will be slightly greater than the volume ofvoid space present in the sand when filled to the top of said container,in order to insure the complete saturation of the sand. To make certainof this amount I provide the preliminary measurement of the water bymeans of a convenient overflow arrangement in tank 20, comprising asection of pipe 25 (see Figs. 4 and 5) swiveled at 25 to an outlet ordischarge pipe 25, a handle or lever 20 with a pointer 2O beingconnected with the pivoted piece of pipe to raise or lower its end 25 inthe tank, the pointer 20" indicating by a scale 20, on the s1de of thetank, the amount of water in gallons or cubic feet which will bemeasured out in the tank 20 before discharge through pipe 22 and valve23 to the sand and water measuring receptacle 9.

There is provided an additional or excess water tank 24, for supplyingany predetermined additional quantity of water to the mix over and abovethat which enters the mix in the container of saturated sand, in caseswhere the specifications call for concrete-0f a greater water content.This tank 24 may be conveniently filled fromtank' 20 through theoverflow pipe 25, and the water discharged through an suitable pipe 26to the point of mixing. f preferred, tank 24 may be filled from aseparate source of supply independent of the ipe 25. The capacitg of thetank 24 is ad]ustable as by means 0 the inner box or cylinder 27 which.is mounted on a threaded rod 28' movable vertically by the hand wheel29 supported from a cross barsor frame 30. An overflow spout or lip 31is provided on the tank 24 for discharge of the surplus water when thetank is filled.

Delivery of sand to the receptacle 9 is through the mouth 10 of the binin which is located. a grate-like sifter gate 11, or other suitablemeans for feeding the sand in :1

shower-like manner, the elements of the shaker being oscillated or movedby the arms 12 connected through the bar 13 to the shaker handle 14.-Between the hopper mouth 10 and the container 9, and operatingpreferably with close clearance relative to the top of the latter, is astrike-off gate 15, which may be trough-shaped, having sides 16 'toprevent loss of sand from the delivery mouth 10. The gate is preferablymounted for its sliding movement on rollers 17 and is equipped with arack 18, actuation thereof being accomplished'by means of the crank 19operating a pinion in engagement with the rack.

The measuring receptacle 9, (see Figs. 1 to 3) which receives the waterand sand, is, as before stated, pivotally mounted at 6, with its openupper end adjacent the bottom of the strike-off gate 15. It has at oneside an overflow spout or lip 32, to carry off the surplus waterdisplaced when the sand is sifted into it, this spout being positionedto deliver to a trough 33 so that all surplus water may be convenientlycarried off for disposal or use. The pivots 6 are so positioned on thecontainer that they are above its center of gravity when it isempty,-and below it when full, so that its movement to dumping position,as indicated by the dotted line at 34, Fig. 1, and back to fillingposition will be accomplished by gravity, upon the release of thelatches 35, 35 and 36, 36, respectively, (see Figs. 1 and 3), which areadapted to engage automatically when the receptacle swings-to filling ordischarging position.

Referring particularly to Fig. 2. it will be seen that the measuringreceptacle is adjustable as to volume by means of a movable bottom 45,act ing in a rotec ing casing 47 and adapted to be turne by the wheel48. The rod-is fixed as against vertical movement by the engageted by ascrew-rod 46 operatment of a-collar 49 and the hub of the wheel spacedplates 56 for the retention or pocket ing of sufiicient water to insurethe thorough washing out of the saturated sand when dumped. There isprovided also between the bottom and one of said plates a restricteddrainage port 57 having a valve 58, the purpose of this being topermitthe drawing oil of a portion of the water without taking the sand withit, in those cases where the specifications call for a concrete of lesswater content than would result-with complete inundation of all thesand.

For the cushioning of the discharge, and for the proper balance of thereceptacle on its pivots, the following mechanism is provided.

A variable counterweight, for example a bucket 37, which may containsand or other material to the amount required, is hung from a cable 38runover suitable sheaves 39, 40, theother end of. the cable beingattached to the bottom of the. container. 'The counterweight is madevariable in order to provide for adjustments to compensate for differentthe capacity of receiver 9 is changed, by ad justing the position of itsbottom, or it may be desirable in some cases to employ more than onecounterweight 37 and set of sheaves 39 and 40 as local conditionsmaydetermine.

Further cushioning of the shock of discharge in the arrangement shown inFig. 1 is provided by the spring 41. When the cable 38 is pulled upwardsby the rotation of the con-- tainer, the clip or button 42 above thecounterweight engages the spring-guiding or supporting pipe 43 and movesit upwardagainst the compression of the spring. It will be understood ofcourse that the pipe has freedom for sliding movement up and down in anopening in the supporting structure 44:. -Obviously other convenientshock absorbing mechanism may be used, and for measuring receptacles ofgreater size and capacity .than that represented in Fig. 1, I mayemploy, for example, a suitable dashpot construction;

The operation of the complete apparatus is as follows:

The charging tank 20 is filled with water, slightly more thansuflicientto saturate a full load of sand in receiver 9, and valve 23 isopened to' discharge the water into the receptacle. The shaker gatehandle 14 is then oscillated causing sand to sift down into thereceptacle where it settles in the Water, completely inundated. Theshaking is continued until no more sand can be shaken in, at which timethe receptacle will be filled to the top with saturated sand, thesurplus water disgravity to the dumping or discharge position, the latchbar 36 then engaging the latch member 36 and holding the receptacle indischarge position while the saturated sand is emptied therefrom intoany apparatus which may be therebelow, such as a concrete mixer, .or, ifthe mixing is to take place at a remote point, into a water tight truckbody, or conveyor. The water trapped between the bottom 45 and the,plates 56 runs down the walls of the inverted container and insures thecomplete discharge of the material, after which, upon tripping of thelatch bar 86, the container swings back .to filling position by its ownweight assisted by the momentum imparted by the counterweight 37. Itwill be apparent from Fig. 1 that the arrangement of the counterweightand the sheaves 39 and 40 is such that the initial turning momenttowards dumping position is augmented by the weight but that the finalmovement of it v is retarded thereby, and any substantial shock obviatedby the spring 41.

As previously indicated, where the specifications call for more water inthe mix than would be contained in the saturated sand, an additionalmeasured quantity may be added to each batch from the excess water tank24,

which is adjustable in volume, through the pipe 26. \Vhere thespecifications call for less water than that necessary to completelytill the voids in the sand, the desired reduction may be made by drawingofi water from the container through drainage outlet 57 and valve 58,before the dumping of "the charge. \Vith the arrangement of the plates56 in the bottom of the measuring tank together with a l comparativelyrestricted outlet it is quite practicable to draw oil as much as twogallons of water in 20 or 30 seconds (which is about the maximum everrequired to be withdrawn) without any appreciable amount of sand beingdrawn off with it.

From the foregoing description of the ap paratus and its operation itwill be obvious that I am enabled to obtain both rapid and accuratemeasurement of the sand and water, the two most variable elements inconcrete manufacture, and maintain the concrete constant from batch tobatch, the actual percentage of variation being not more than of 1percent. of sand, by weight, and not more than 1 or 1 per cent. ofwater, by weight; thatthe apparatus can be very conveniently andcompactly mounted and used, in connection'withiexisting equipment; thatadjustment of volume may be readily made without altering the accuracyof the measure? 'ment obtained by the use of the strike-off gate; thatproper empty and load balance may be maintained throughout the range ofthe volume adjustment, by an equivalent adjustment of the counterweight;and'that by the preliminary measurement of the waterin tank 20 therelsinsured a suflicient quantity of water to saturate the sand in tank 9without appreciable surplus and that .waste is thereby avoided.

I claim 1. Measuring apparatus comprising, in combination, a sand andwater measuring receptacle, means for. admitting water thereto,sand-dischar ing means above said receptacle, and a stri e-ofi gatebetween the sanddischarging. means and the receptacle.

2. Measuring apparatus comprising, in combination, a sand and watermeasuring receptacle, water-admission means therefor, a sand-Sifterabove the receptacle, and'a strikeoif gate between the sifter andreceptacle.

3. A measuring and discharging receptacle having pivot means below itscenter of gravity when loaded, mechanism thereabove adapted to siftgranular material thereinto,

and a strike-01f gate therebetween.

4. A measuring and discharging receptacle having fixed pivot meanslocated below its center of gravity when loaded but above its center ofgravity when empty, mechanism thereabove adapted to sift granularmaterial.

thereinto, and a strike-off gate therebetween.

5. A measuring and discharging receptacle having fixed pivot meanslocated below its center of gravity when loaded but above its center ofgravity when empty, mechanism thereabove adapted to sift granularmaterial thereinto, a strike-off gate therebetween, and releasable latchmeans for holding thereceptacle in measuring or in discharging position.

6. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a pivotedcontainer, a strike-off gate thereabove, a material-sifting gate abovethe strike-off gate, and means for adjusting the efiective volumetriccapacity of the container without affecting the relative positions ofthe container, the strike-off gate,

and the sifter-gate.

7. In combination, in measuring apparatus, a receivin and dischargingreceptacle having a receiving opening, means for delivering-materialthereinto, strike-off mechanism between said means and said opening, andmeans for altering the volumetric capacity of the receptacle withoutaltering the relative positions of the strike-off mechanism and theopening.

8, In combination, in measuring ap aratus,

an open-topped receiving and disc arging receptacle, material-deliveringmechanism thereabove, a strike-off gate therebetween located injuxtaposition tothe open top of the receptacle, and means for alteringthe effective volumetric capacity of' s'aid receptacle without alteringthe space between t gateand the top of the receptacle.

9. In combination, in measuring apparatus,

an open-topped receiving and disc arg ing receptacle,material-delivering mechanism thereabbve, a strike-off gate therebetweenlocated in juxtaposition to the open top of the receptacle, and meansfor altering the effective volumetric capacity of said receptaclewithout altering the space between the gate and the top of thereceptacle, said means comprising a movable bottom in the receptacle.

-10. In mechanism of the character dcs'cribed, the combination of acontainer, pivot means between the ends thereof about which it isadapted to revolve, an adjustable bottom therein, and dewatering meansin said bottom.

11. In mechanism of the character dcscribed, the combination of a sandand water container, pivot means between the ends thereof about which itis adapted to revolve, an adjustable bottom therein, and waterdrainagemeans in said bottom together with means adapted to prevent anysubstantial draining off of sand through said drainage means.

12. In mechanism of the character described, the combination of a sandand water container, fixed pivot means bctwccn the ends thereof aboutwhich it is adapted to rcvolve, an adjustable bottom therein, and asand-excluding water pocket in said bottom.

13. A material measuring and dumping container having a pivotal mountinglocated above its normal center of gravity when empty but below it whenloaded, together with shock-absorbing means operable when the containeris dumped, or returned to normal position.

14. A material measuring and dumping container having a pivotal mountinglocated above its normal center of gravity \vhcn empty but below it whenloaded, togethermeasuring and dumping container having volume adjustingmeans, and an adjustable counterweight in association with saidcontainer.

16. The combination of a pivoted material measuring and dumpingcontainer having volume adjusting means, and an adjustableshock-absorbing counterweight in association with said container,together with additional shock-absorbing means adapted to cushion thedumping and righting of the container near its limit of motion.

17. In a paratus for the measuring of sand and water for mixture inconcrete batches, the combination of an adj ustable measuring conta'inerfor inundated sand and an adjustable preliminary water measuringcontainer with means for discharging the measured water inj to saidfirst-mentioned container.

container for inundated sand and an ad j ustable preliminary watermeasuring container with means for discharging the measured Water intosaid first-mentioned container, together with-an auxiliary watermeasuring contain er for adding water to the batch.

19. Inapparatus for the measuring of sand and water for mixture inconcrete batches, the combination of an adjustable measuring containerfor inundated sand and an adjustable preliminary water measuringcontainer with means for discharging the measured water into saidfirst-mentioned container, to-

gether with an auxiliary water measuring container, the first andlast-mentioned containers having means for discharging theircontents toa common point of mixing.

20. In apparatus for the measuring of sand and water for mixture inconcrete batches, the combination of an adjustable measuring containerfor inundated sand and an. adjustable preliminary u'ater measuringcontainer with means for discharging the measured water into saidfirst-mentioned container, to-

gether with an auxiliary water measuring container, adapted to be filledeither from said preliminary water measuring containeror a separatesource of supply.

21. In apparatus for the measuring of sand and water for mixture inconcrete batches, the combination of an adjustable measuring containerfor inundated sand and an adjustable preliminary water measuringcontainer with means for discharging the measured water into saidfirst-mentioned container, together with an auxiliary water'measuringcontainerfor adding water to the batch and valve means controlling thefilling and discharging of said containers.

22. In apparatus of the character described, a preliminary watermeasuring container, a sand and water measuring and dumping container,water overflow meansfor each container, and water discharging means fromthe first container to the second.

' 23. In apparatus of the character described, a preliminary watermeasuring container, a sand and water measuring and dumping container,water overflow means for each container. and water discharging meansfrom the first container to the second together with an auxiliary watermeasuring container adapted to discharge substantially at the point ofdischargeof the said second container.

24:. In apparatus of the character described, a preliminary watermeasuring con-v tainer, a sand and water measuring and dumpingcontainer, water overflow means for each container, and waterdischarging meansfrom the first container to the second together with anauxiliary water measuring container adapted to discharge substantiallyat the point of discharge of the said second container, the overflowmeansof said first container discharging into the auxiliary con-' .meansfrom the first container to the second together with an auxiliaryadjustable water measuring container having an overflow means forsurplus water and adapted to deliver its measured quantity of water atthe point of discharge of the said second container.

26. In apparatus for measuring granular material and water,,materialdelivery means, a container supported in substantially fixed relationthereto, gate means for controlling the delivery of material, and wateroverflow means on said container having directed discharge below the topthereof.

27. In apparatus for measuring granular material and water, materialdelivery means, a container supported in substantially fixed relationthereto, gate means for controlling the delivery of material, and wateroverflow means on said container, having directed discharge below thetop thereof, together with the capacity of the conmaterial and water,material delivery means,

a container supported therefrom, gate means for controllingthe deliveryof material, and water overflow means on said container having directeddischarge below the top thereof.

30. In apparatus for measuring granular material and water, materialdelivery means, a container supported therefrom, gate means forcontrolling the delivery of material, and means for withdrawing waterfrom the container while normally loaded.

31. In mechanism of the character described, a movable measuringcontainer having a trap constructed to hold water and exclude sand whenthe container is in filling position and to discharge water when it isin emptying position, together with waterdrainage means below thecontainer to operable when said container is in the sai fillingposition.

32. In a device tor measuring sand and water to be used in the making ofconcrete, the combination of a sand supply means, a

receptacle. suspended in juxtaposition thereceptacle in desiredamounts,means for controlling the flow of sand from the sup ly means into thereceptacle, a, water over 0W channel device on said receptacle havingdirected discharge below the top thereof, and means for altering thedistance between the bottom of said receptacleand the overflow device.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed mfiame.

LLIAM MAYO VENABLE.

